Having written his name on the pledge, Liu Bei is always careful in case Cao Cao means him harm. He plants vegetables in the back garden of the house where he stays and waters them with his own hands. He wants to hide his talents and look like a man with no great ambition.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei ask. Brother, you give no thought to the great affairs of the realm and take up the work of small men, so what is this? Liu Bei answers, this is not something for my brothers to know. The two ask no more.
One day, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are out of the city practising archery, Liu Bei is watering his vegetables in the back garden when Xu Chu and Zhang Liao come in with a few dozen men. The Chancellor says you are to come at once, my lord. When Liu Bei asks in alarm what the urgent matter is, Xu Chu says he does not know and was only told to bring him.
Great Affairs at Home
Liu Bei follows the two into the Chancellor’s residence. Cao Cao laughs and says, I hear you have been doing great things at home.
Liu Bei’s face turns the colour of earth.
Cao Cao takes Liu Bei by the hand and leads him straight to the back garden, saying, it must be hard work, Xuande, learning to keep a vegetable patch. Only then does Liu Bei relax, and he answers that he has nothing to do and is only passing the time.
Cao Cao says. Just now I saw the plums hanging green at the tips of the branches, and it reminded me of last year’s march against Zhang Xiu. Water ran out on the road and all the officers and men were thirsty. I thought of a plan, pointed my whip into the air and said there was a plum grove ahead, and the soldiers’ mouths filled with water and they forgot their thirst. Seeing these plums I could not let them pass, and the wine happened to be warmed just right, so I invited you to the little pavilion.
Liu Bei steadies himself and follows him to the pavilion. On the tray are green plums, and a jar of warmed wine has been set out. The two sit facing each other and drink freely.
How the Dragon Changes
When the wine is half taken, dark clouds suddenly gather and a downpour seems about to burst. An attendant points to the edge of the sky and says a dragon is hanging there. It is a whirling cloud hanging from the sky to the earth. Cao Cao and Liu Bei lean on the railing to watch it.
Cao Cao asks, do you know the changes of the dragon, my lord? When Liu Bei says he does not know them in detail, Cao Cao says.
The dragon can grow large or small, can rise or hide. Grown large it raises clouds and breathes out mist, but made small it hides its body and conceals its form. Rising, it flies through the space of the universe, and hiding, it lies low beneath the waves. Now spring is deep, and the dragon changes as it rides the season, like a man who gains his ambition and roams the whole world. The dragon is a thing that can be likened to the heroes of the age.
Xuande, you have travelled the four quarters for a long time, so you must know the heroes of the age. Try naming them.
Names Crossed Out One by One
Liu Bei says, how could my eyes recognise a hero? Cao Cao tells him to stop being so modest. Liu Bei says, I have only been granted office at court through the Chancellor’s kindness, so I truly do not know the heroes of the realm. Cao Cao says, you may not know their faces, but you must have heard their names.
Liu Bei says, Yuan Shu of Huainan has ample troops and grain, so he may be called a hero. Cao Cao laughs. Dry bones in a tomb. I will surely capture him before long.
Liu Bei says. Yuan Shao of Hebei comes from a family that produced the Three Excellencies for four generations, so he has many former subordinates. Now he crouches like a tiger over the land of Ji Province, and has very many able men under him, so he may be called a hero.
Cao Cao laughs. Yuan Shao looks fierce outside but is timid inside, and loves schemes but cannot make decisions. In great affairs he spares himself, and at the sight of small gains he forgets his life, so he is no hero.
Liu Bei names more, one at a time. Liu Biao, called one of the Eight Steeds, whose might is felt across the nine provinces. Cao Cao says he has a name and no substance. Sun Ce, the young leader of Jiangdong, full of vigour. Cao Cao says he only leaned on his father’s name. Liu Zhang of Yi Province. Cao Cao says that though he is of the imperial clan, he is only a dog guarding a door.
Liu Bei asks what of men like Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu and Han Sui. Cao Cao claps his hands and laughs loudly. Why mention such petty little men?
Liu Bei says, beyond these I truly do not know.
Cao Cao says. A hero is a man who holds a great ambition in his breast and good plans in his belly, with the scheme to embrace the universe and the will to swallow and breathe out heaven and earth.
Liu Bei asks, who could be such a man?
Cao Cao points his finger at Liu Bei, and then at himself.
今天下英雄 惟使君與操耳
jin tian xia ying xiong wei shi jun yu cao er
The only heroes in the realm now are you, my lord, and I, Cao Cao. (Chapter 21)
Thunder
Hearing this, Liu Bei starts in shock, and before he knows it the spoon and chopsticks in his hand fall to the ground.
At that very moment the downpour is about to break and the thunder crashes loudly. Liu Bei calmly bends down to pick up the chopsticks and says, so this is the might of a single clap of thunder.
Cao Cao laughs. Does a grown man fear thunder too? Liu Bei answers, they say even the sage always changed his countenance at sudden thunder and fierce wind, so how could I not fear it?
So Liu Bei lightly covers why he dropped his chopsticks at the word hero. At last Cao Cao no longer suspects him.
When the rain stops, two men burst into the back garden with swords in their hands. Those around try to stop them, but it is no use. It is Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. They came back from archery outside the city, heard that Liu Bei had been taken off by Xu Chu and Zhang Liao, and rushed to the Chancellor’s residence in case something happened. Seeing Liu Bei sitting across from Cao Cao drinking wine, the two stand gripping their sword hilts.
When Cao Cao asks why they have come, Guan Yu says, we heard the Chancellor was drinking with our brother, so we came to perform a sword dance to add to the laughter. Cao Cao laughs. This is not the feast at Hongmen, so what need is there for a Xiang Zhuang and a Xiang Bo? Liu Bei laughs too. Cao Cao has wine given to the two Fan Kuais to calm their fright.
On the way back after the party breaks up, Guan Yu says, we two nearly died of fright. Only then does Liu Bei tell them about dropping his chopsticks. Zhang Fei asks what he means.
Liu Bei says. I grew vegetables to show Cao Cao that I have no great ambition. But Cao Cao unexpectedly pointed to me as a hero, so I was startled and dropped my chopsticks. Fearing Cao Cao would grow suspicious, I covered it with the excuse that I was afraid of the thunder.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei say, your thinking is truly far-sighted, brother.
The Caged Bird
The next day Cao Cao again invites Liu Bei to drink. Then Man Chong, who had gone to watch Yuan Shao’s movements, returns and reports that Gongsun Zan has been defeated by Yuan Shao.
Gongsun Zan had built a high tower and stored three hundred thousand measures of grain to hold out. But he would not rescue his own soldiers when Yuan Shao’s troops surrounded them. If he saved one man, he said, those who fought after would only hope for rescue and would not fight to the death. Because of that, when Yuan Shao came many surrendered. Yuan Shao’s troops dug a tunnel to beneath the tower and set it on fire, and Gongsun Zan ended his life in that fire.
Man Chong reports more. Having gained even Gongsun Zan’s troops, Yuan Shao’s power has risen greatly. Yuan Shu of Huainan, whose troops and people have turned against him for his extravagance, means to hand the title of emperor to Yuan Shao and go to Hebei with the imperial seal. If the two join forces they will be hard to stop, so you must act quickly.
Hearing that Gongsun Zan is dead, Liu Bei grieves, remembering the kindness of the man who once recommended him. Not knowing where Zhao Zilong has gone, he cannot set his mind at ease either. He thinks to himself. If I do not find a way out now, when will I?
Liu Bei rises and says to Cao Cao. To reach Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu must pass through Xu. Give me an army and I will block him on the road and capture Yuan Shu. Cao Cao laughs and tells him to report to the Son of Heaven tomorrow and march at once.
The next day Cao Cao entrusts Liu Bei with fifty thousand men and sends two generals, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao, with him. When Liu Bei takes his leave, the Emperor weeps as he sends him off. Liu Bei works through the night gathering weapons and saddles, hangs a general’s seal at his belt, and leaves in haste. Dong Cheng follows him out ten li to the pavilion to see him off. Liu Bei says, bear it and wait, Imperial In-law. On this journey there will surely be something to repay you with. Dong Cheng answers, be sure you do not fail the Son of Heaven’s heart.
On horseback Guan Yu and Zhang Fei ask, why are we setting out in such a hurry this time? Liu Bei answers. I was a bird in a cage and a fish in a net. On this road I am a fish let into the open sea, a bird gone up into clear sky, and no cage or net will hold me again.
A General in the Field
Around then Guo Jia and Cheng Yu, back from checking money and grain, learn that Cao Cao has given Liu Bei an army and sent him to Xu, and rush in. Cheng Yu says. When we urged you before to kill Liu Bei you would not listen, and now you have even given him troops. This is letting a dragon into the sea and sending a tiger back to the mountains.
Guo Jia says. Even if you will not kill Liu Bei, you must not send him away. The ancients said that letting an enemy go for one day becomes a worry for ten thousand generations.
Cao Cao thinks they are right and gives Xu Chu five hundred men, with orders to bring Liu Bei back without fail.
Liu Bei, on the march, sees dust rising behind him and knows Cao Cao’s troops are coming after him. He sets up camp and has Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stand on either side with their weapons. Xu Chu arrives, sees the soldiers drawn up in strict armour, and dismounts to enter the camp.
Xu Chu says, the Chancellor asks you to come back, general. He says there is something more to discuss. Liu Bei says. It is said that when a general is in the field, there are commands of his sovereign he need not accept. I have seen the Son of Heaven and heard the Chancellor’s words. There is nothing more to discuss now, so go back and tell the Chancellor so for me.
Xu Chu thinks. The Chancellor has always been on good terms with him and did not tell me to fight this time, so there is nothing to do but carry his words back and wait for a decision. He returns and reports Liu Bei’s words exactly.
Cao Cao hesitates. Cheng Yu and Guo Jia say, Liu Bei will not turn back, so we can see his heart has changed. Cao Cao says. Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao are beside him, so he will not dare change his heart. Besides, I have already sent him, so how can I regret it now? Cao Cao pursues him no further.
A Bowl of Honey Water
While Liu Bei reaches Xu and waits for Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu’s fortunes sink by the day. His extravagance was so great that his generals Lei Bo and Chen Lan have left for Mount Song. Yuan Shu writes a letter handing the title of emperor to Yuan Shao, packs the things used in his palace, and comes toward Xu.
Without a word Zhang Fei charges Ji Ling, Yuan Shu’s vanguard, and spears him from his horse in fewer than ten bouts. When Yuan Shu leads out his army himself, Liu Bei rebukes him from beneath his banners. You are a rebel, and I have come under a bright edict to punish you. Yuan Shu curses him. How dare a mat-weaving, sandal-making fellow slight me?
Liu Bei’s army splits into three and routs Yuan Shu’s forces. In his flight Yuan Shu is robbed even of his money and grain by Lei Bo and Chen Lan of Mount Song, and trying to return to Shouchun he is harried again by bandits and stops at Jiangting. He has a thousand or so men left, all old and weak.
It is midsummer. The grain is gone and only thirty measures of wheat remain. Yuan Shu cannot swallow the coarse food and tells the cook to bring him honey water.
The cook answers, there is only water with blood in it, so where would there be honey water?
Yuan Shu, sitting on his couch, gives one great cry, falls to the ground, coughs up blood and dies. It is the sixth month of the fourth year of Jian’an.
Yuan Shu’s nephew, taking his coffin and his wife and children toward Lujiang, is killed along with them all by Xu Qiu. Xu Qiu seizes Yuan Shu’s imperial seal and presents it to Cao Cao in Xuchang. Cao Cao is overjoyed and makes Xu Qiu Governor of Gaoling. The imperial seal passes into Cao Cao’s hands.
The Night He Killed Cao Cao’s Man
With Yuan Shu dead, Liu Bei sends a memorial to the court and a letter to Cao Cao. He sends Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao back to Xuchang and keeps the troops in Xu. Then he goes out of the city himself to call back the scattered people and set them to their livelihoods again.
When Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao return and report that Liu Bei has kept the troops, Cao Cao is angry and means to behead them both. Xun Yu stops him, saying that with command in Liu Bei’s hands the two could do nothing. Then he proposes sending a letter to Che Zhou, Inspector of Xu, to move against Liu Bei from inside.
Che Zhou calls Chen Deng to discuss it. Chen Deng offers a plan. Liu Bei has gone out to gather the people and will soon return, so hide troops beside the enclosure gate, pretend to welcome him, and when his horse arrives cut him down with one stroke. I will hold off his rear troops with arrows from the wall.
Chen Deng goes back and tells his father Chen Gui. Chen Gui tells his son to warn Liu Bei first. Chen Deng gallops off, meets Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who are returning ahead, and tells them everything.
When Zhang Fei says he will go and fight at once, Guan Yu holds him back. They are lying in wait beside the enclosure gate, so if we go we will surely come to grief. Guan Yu thinks of a plan. They will disguise themselves as Cao Cao’s troops at night, go to Xu, draw Che Zhou out and strike him. As it happens, their troops still carried Cao Cao’s banners, and their armour was the same.
That night at the third watch they reach the foot of the wall and shout for the gate to be opened. When those on the wall ask who they are, they answer that they are the troops of Zhang Wenyuan, sent by the Chancellor. Che Zhou fears that refusing to go out will arouse suspicion and going out may be a trick, so he says it is too dark to tell and they will meet at dawn. From below the wall they shout. We fear Liu Bei will find out, so open the gate at once.
Che Zhou hesitates, then puts on his armour and comes out with a thousand men. As he crosses the drawbridge he calls out, where is Wenyuan? In the firelight Guan Yu comes galloping straight at him, blade in hand. How dare a wretch like you hide a trick and try to kill my brother?
Che Zhou is terrified and turns his horse after a few bouts, but Chen Deng rains arrows down from the wall and he cannot get into the city. As Che Zhou flees around the wall, Guan Yu chases him down and cuts him down with one stroke. Guan Yu calls out. I have already killed the rebel Che Zhou. You are not to blame, so surrender and you will be spared. The soldiers turn their spears around and surrender.
Guan Yu tells Liu Bei what has happened with Che Zhou. Liu Bei is greatly alarmed. What shall we do if Cao Cao comes? Guan Yu says, I will meet him with Zhang Fei. Liu Bei enters Xu full of regret. He worries that having killed a man Cao Cao valued, they will not be left alone.
Chen Deng says. What Cao Cao fears is Yuan Shao. If you send a letter to Yuan Shao asking for help, you can drive Cao Cao back.
Today, the Dropped Chopsticks
In this chapter Cao Cao crossed out the names of the realm one by one. Yuan Shu was dry bones in a tomb, Yuan Shao a man who could not decide, Liu Biao a mere name, Sun Ce a man leaning on his father’s name, and Liu Zhang a dog guarding a door. Then with his finger he set Liu Bei and himself in the two places that were left.
Liu Bei dropped his chopsticks at those words. Only after he came back from the Chancellor’s residence did he tell his brothers that he had grown vegetables to look like a man with no great ambition. The thunder happened to crash, and he became a man who feared thunder.
Cao Cao put away his suspicion that day. Within a few days Liu Bei had fifty thousand men and had left Xuchang.
Yuan Shu, whom Cao Cao had called dry bones in a tomb, died asking for a bowl of honey water.
When someone has seen exactly who you are, were you glad, or afraid?